Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs...

Let's face it, when you are out running 2, 3, 4, or more hours - even the best scenery can get a little bland. Spectator signs add support and cheer for runners. Thinking about my race coming up in a week or so, I started visualize the signs I would love to see along the course. Many included the signs from your suggestions last week. But for me, I would like to see sayings that contradict the stuff going through my head, such as:

Yes, it is all worth it!

You should see how big the cookies are at the finish line.

Whatever you do, just don't stop. Keep moving!

You're not slow, you just know how to enjoy a race course.

Finishing is winning!

Finish strong - your fans are waiting!

Millions of people never even started today. You are one in the million who did.

You are my hero.

Run like you want to.

Come on, it doesn't hurt that bad.

When you are done, it won't hurt at all.

You've done harder things than this.

You've done worse things for much longer.

Think of all the alone time you are getting.

Kids at the finish - enjoy your peace and quiet.

Reality straight ahead. Enjoy the moment.

The best sign I saw this year was at the Bix7 race, positioned as we started up the big hill in Mile 1. It read, "This is where Champions Rise To the Occasion." That one stuck with me for all the miles of the race.

While running, I am always on the look out for funny signs. Humor can take me much farther than Gu or water. One of my favorite posts was from Nitmos in May when he listed a few funny signs. He was kind enough to let us republish it the Lounge for all to enjoy as well.

His sign ideas were as funny as this sign I found on Flickr (pic on right). Now that is a friend. Look how serious she is. Something tells me the "take a dump in your pants" maybe not be all in jest. Wow, makes me realize how much our family and friends must put up with from us runners.

Another classic sign is on the left, taken by edex on Flickr is always popular at races. Looking at this one gives me the idea to create a bunch of signs and then leave them laying around the course for others to enjoy.

And some other classic running signs, from the 2006 Run London series were photographed by purplespace. One of my favorites is on the right - I will dig deep. If you go to purplespace's Flickr profile, you will find five others that are great too!

And last but not least, a good reminder of a great sign was mentioned by Michaela in her post about her marathon finish. It is a sign every race should have one of, especially towards the end "Remember the reasons you are running." After we enter our running orb and lose ourself in all the running, it is sometimes hard to remember why we started this crazy race to begin with.

Enjoy your race more! Make and share a sign! To see how runners' faces light up with signs, check out our Flickr pages from last years Des Moines Marathon photos with Loungers with our signs.

But in one of the races I ran last year, an 11k on 11/11 in Stoneham, MA-- someone had put signs spread out all up one of the big hills. You would read one, and then keep running and get to the next one which would continue the sentence. There were maybe 6 signs all up the hill. I can't remember what they said! A few had some motivational quotes on them. I remember feeling great, and this was one of my faster races- and going up the hill my mind was off the pain and just wondering what the next sign would say...

I can see a great improvement in your writing, I’ll love to get in touch. Keep up the good work! Your writing is very inspirational for someone who is new to this type of stuff. In your article I found very different things. Very characteristic. I've never seen before. http://www.griffeyshoesred.com/

Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.Any way Ill be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.I also think so,Do you think the best in the webnet too? there were a good web for, you don't like, Never mind, much more:if you like, you can see http://www.adidasoriginalshoes.com/

About Runners' Lounge

We are ordinary runners sharing our favorite passion – Running. The lounge is our escape for conversation and connection to our favorite people – Runners. Join the conversation today at www.runnerslounge.com.

An on-line community where runners Connect, Share, and Discover to more fully enjoy running!